Media & Cable

Microsoft's Reference Architecture for Media & Cable

Microsoft Business Intelligence (BI) solutions for media companies help to provide decision makers and working teams with the business insight they need to respond quickly to changes in audience demand and business needs. These solutions are based on the Microsoft Business Intelligence platform, adding industry-specific Extraction, Transformation and Loading (ETL) modules, data cubes, reports, and dashboards which are available from Microsoft partners.

Automation, Master Control & Digital Platform

Automation systems tie the business directives of a playlist, content windows for VOD, live content and control room infrastructure. These mission critical systems in ensure that a quality signal is acquired for various sources (live link, file feed, server, web etc.), processed and delivered to the right place (i.e. head end, transmitter, uplink or web).These need to sequence all digital and legacy devices, support system coordination of electronic and digital processes across the control room and ensure extremely high service and availability levels.

Concept Development & Resource Management

Gathering the right information to establish a business case to support the creation of a content asset (e.g. movie, TV series, etc). This includes financial analysis, resource allocation and budgeting, logistics, talent requirements, production requirements and revenue potential across all the viewing windows. The result being an informed go/no-go decision by Media executives.

Content Acquisition & Management

Much content is acquired (and often also sold) to other contracted partners. Once in place, this content must be sourced from the supplier (or sent to the buyer) in the required format. Masters are acquired (sent) via uplinks, file transfers, video feeds, tapes etc. . This content is ingested, cataloged, its metadata indexed and augmented, archived , and video proxies created.

This function is to secure, preserve and transform the content and its derivations so that this valuable asset can be quickly and efficiently leveraged for subsequent utilization.

Content Creation & Production

Collaboration on content, stories, scripts, rundowns, production notes, modifications, etc. on the organizational side of content creation is complimented by capturing the content itself. Photos, video and/or sound, technologies should ideally provide for digital interfaces, feeds and backups which preserve content integrity at the highest required quality. Having captured both the essence and metadata, it is essential to ensure these are maintained synchronously throughout editing and processing to maximize utility and value.

Content Planning & Scheduling

The effective manner in which content is plotted across a season; a week; a day; a timeslot – influences the success of a content. Traditionally scheduling was restricted to one medium, today a content asset is assigned across release windows over various delivery platforms (e.g. TV; online; VOD; DVD, etc.).